'A fascinating exploration of human greed and self-delusion and also a tribute to our ageless search for beauty' DEBORAH MOGGACH.

In 1630s' Holland thousands of people, from the wealthiest merchants to the lowest street traders, were caught up in a frenzy of buying and selling. The object of the speculation was not oil or gold, but the tulip, a delicate and exotic bloom that had just arrived from the east. Over three years, rare tulip bulbs changed hands for sums that would have bought a house in Amsterdam: a single bulb could sell for more than GBP300,000 at today's prices. Fortunes were made overnight, but then lost when, within a year, the market collapsed.

Mike Dash recreates this bizarre episode in European history, separating myth from reality. He traces the hysterical boom and devastating bust, bringing to life a colourful cast of characters, and beautifully evoking Holland's Golden Age.

'A fascinating exploration of human greed and self-delusion and also a tribute to our ageless search for beauty' DEBORAH MOGGACH.

About the Author
Mike Dash read history at Cambridge and received his PhD from the University of London. Having worked for the Fortean Times and The Ministry of Sound, he is now setting up his own company.

Reviews
[Dash] has the storyteller's knack of making his readers feel present in the sweaty, smoke-filled taverns of Haalem ... a shining tribute to this extraordinary flower * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *
A marvellous parable of greed, skulduggery, opulence, extravagance and retribution -- Simon Singh
A fascinating exploration of human greed and self-delusion and also a tribute to our ageless search for beauty -- Deborah Moggach
Detailed and highly readable * DAILY TELEGRAPH *
An enthusiastic historian's view of the subject with lots of colourful detail -- Jan Morris, Books of the Year * INDEPENDENT *
I can't remember the last time I read a plant book or a gardening book that was such a page-turner. The story is a gift, of course - but the grip lies in the telling ... Such is the artistry of the writing that you will mop it all up, sponge like, and absorb it as you pursue the twists and turns of the story * HORTUS *
A fine chapter of social history - enticing, splendidly written and informative * KIRKUS *
Gripping ... a happy weight of detail * GUARDIAN *
The fast-paced text brings to life the excitement caused in Europe by the introduction of this exotic flower from the East * BBC GARDENERS' WORLD *



Book Information
ISBN 9780753827994
Author Mike Dash
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 226g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 131mm * 22mm